Container supply device and method for operating the container supply device

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a container supply device for supplying containers to a mass flow conveyor, comprising: —an at least single-track input conveyor, which can be driven in a first direction and is designed to convey containers in the first direction; adjoining the at least single-track input conveyor parallel to the at least single-track input conveyor, a first group of a plurality of parallel first conveyors, which can be driven in the first direction; adjoining the first group parallel to the first group, a second group of a plurality of parallel second conveyors, which can be driven in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction. The containers can be transferred from the second group to a mass flow conveyor perpendicularly to the second direction. The invention also relates to a method for operating the container supply device.

The invention relates to a container supply device according to claim 1and a method for operating the container supply device according toclaim 15.

PRIOR ART

DE 10 2016 205 304 A1 discloses a low-pressure storage device and/ordistribution unit for containers, comprising a storage table withpassage belts for conveying the containers through the storage table,and with storage belts extending on both sides along the passage beltsand which can be driven more slowly than the passage belts. Furthermore,a feed belt for the containers is present in the input region. By thefeed belt extending transversely, in particular at a right angle, withrespect to the passage belts and the storage belts, by a transfer beltrunning in the opposite direction of the feed belt being in particularformed between the feed belt and the storage table, and by at least onedeflection element for deflecting the containers from the feed belt ontothe storage table being formed in the input region, a flow of fedcontainers can be selectively and reliably directed onto the passagebelts, and simultaneously, an input region with a high input speed andcompact dimensions can be provided.

DE 10 255 814 A1 discloses a device for guiding apart and partitioningcontainer flows with at least one container input, at least two inputbelts and at least one guiding element disposed in the container flow,wherein the transport belts common in transport systems are guidedwithin the process of guiding the container flow apart such that theyguide apart and partition the container flow.

Such devices can require a lot of space in a system, and forces actingon the containers can be high.

Object

It is the object of the invention to provide a container supply devicewhich can be operated in a space-saving manner and in which forcesacting on the containers can be reduced.

Solution

This object is achieved by the container supply device according toclaim 1 and the method for operating the container supply deviceaccording to claim 15. Further features of the invention are disclosedin the sub-claims.

The container supply device for supplying containers to a mass flowconveyor comprises an at least single-track input conveyor which isdrivable in a first direction and is designed to convey containers inthe first direction. The container supply device furthermore comprises,adjoining the at least single-track input conveyor parallel to the atleast single-track input conveyor, a first group of a plurality ofparallel first conveyors, which are drivable in the first direction andare designed to convey containers in the first direction, and adjoiningthe first group of a plurality of parallel first conveyors parallel tothe first group, a second group of a plurality of parallel secondconveyors, which are drivable in a second direction and are designed toconvey containers in the second direction which is opposite to the firstdirection. The containers are transferrable from the second group of aplurality of parallel second conveyors in the direction of a mass flowconveyor transversely to the second direction.

The containers can comprise glass bottles, PET bottles and/or cans. Themass flow conveyor is generally not comprised in the container supplydevice, however, it is also possible that it is comprised in it.

The at least single-track input conveyor can be considered as an inputto the first group. The first group can comprise a number of n>1 firstconveyors, for example n=3. The first (n=1) one of the first conveyorscan be disposed adjacent to the at least single-track input conveyor,the second (n=2) one of the first conveyors can be disposed adjacent tothe first (n=1) one of the first conveyors, and the third (n=3) one ofthe first conveyors can be disposed adjacent to the second (n=2) one ofthe first conveyors.

The second group can comprise a number of m>1 second conveyors, forexample m=3 (however, the number of conveyors in the first and thesecond group can also be different). The first (m=1) one of the secondconveyors can be disposed adjacent to the third (n=3) one of the firstconveyors, the second (m=2) one of the second conveyors can be disposedadjacent to the first (m=1) one of the second conveyors, and the third(m=3) one of the second conveyors can be disposed adjacent to the second(m=2) one of the second conveyors and the mass flow conveyor.

Adjoining parallel can mean that between the at least single-track inputconveyor and/or the conveyors, and/or a conveyor and the mass flowconveyor, a distance can be provided that can be smaller than a diameterof a container, or a transfer plate having a width that can be smallerthan a diameter of a container.

Summarizing, the first group can describe the plurality of firstconveyors which are drivable in the first direction. In the process, theplurality of first conveyors can be designed to be individually driven.A control of drive speeds can be accomplished by means of a controldevice which can be comprised in the container supply device. The drivespeeds can be the same or different for the plurality of firstconveyors. The first conveyors can each comprise a transport surface,wherein the transport surfaces can be oriented in a coplanar manner. Thesame applies for the second group which can describe, as a summary, theplurality of second conveyors which can be driven in the seconddirection.

The designation “first” or “second” only serves to differentiate betweenthe elements, but is otherwise not to be understood as a furtherrestriction.

The at least single-track input conveyor can comprise a transportsurface.

The container supply device can comprise a transfer region in which thecontainers of the second group of a plurality of parallel secondconveyors are transferrable transversely to the second direction in thedirection to a mass flow conveyor, the transfer region having a lengthwhich is at least twice as large as a conveying width of the containersupply device.

The transfer region can be comprised in the second conveyor which isdisposed adjacent to the mass flow conveyor. The transfer region cancomprise at least a portion of the transport surface of this secondconveyor, and from the transfer region, containers can be transferred bypushing containers transversely to the second direction in the directionto the mass flow conveyor.

The conveying width of the container supply device can here be composedof the sum of the conveying widths (a conveying width can be, forexample, a width of the respective transport surface) of the at leastsingle-track input conveyor, the first conveyor, and the secondconveyor. One can also add to the conveying width of the containersupply device, apart from this sum of the conveying widths, optionaldistances between the at least single-track input conveyor and the firstgroup, and between the first group and the second group. Optionaldistances between the first conveyors and between the second conveyorscan also be added to the conveying width of the container supply device.The width can be measured in a plane of the transport surfacesperpendicular to the first or second direction.

Since the length of the transfer region is at least twice as large as aconveying width of the container supply device, the containers can betransferred to the mass flow conveyor without a high pile-up pressurebeing formed between the containers. The length can be measured alongthe first or second direction.

The mass flow conveyor can comprise a conveyor belt or a plurality ofconveyor belts disposed one next to the other which move in a thirddirection which extends perpendicularly to the first and the seconddirection. The mass flow conveyor is generally not comprised in thecontainer supply device, however, it is also possible that it iscomprised in the container supply device.

The transfer region can be disposed relative to the mass flow conveyorsuch that containers can be transferred from the transport surfaces ofthe second conveyors to a transport surface of the mass flow conveyor.The transfer region can be disposed opposite an inlet region of the massflow conveyor.

Here, containers can be transferred from a second conveyor, which isdisposed directly adjacent to the mass flow conveyor (possibly with atransfer plate/distance therebetween), directly (possibly directly viathe transfer plate/the distance) to the mass flow conveyor (by thepressure of subsequent containers).

In another embodiment of the container supply device, adjoining thesecond group of a plurality of parallel second conveyors parallel to thesecond group, a further single-track (or a plurality of, for example, 2or 3 further single-track) feed conveyor can be provided, wherein thefurther single-track feed conveyor or the plurality of furthersingle-track feed conveyors are drivable in the first direction and bedesigned to convey containers in the first direction. A drive of theplurality of further single-track feed conveyors can be accomplishedindependently.

The further single-track feed conveyor or the plurality of furthersingle-track feed conveyors can be disposed between the second group andthe mass flow conveyor. It or they can be considered as an input to themass flow conveyor.

Since the further single-track feed conveyor or the plurality of furthersingle-track feed conveyors moves/move in the first direction, thatmeans in the original input direction of the at least single-track inputconveyor, a distribution and a transfer of the containers to the massflow conveyor can be improved. Containers that are transferred from thefurther single-track feed conveyor or the plurality of furthersingle-track feed conveyors to the mass flow conveyor can also well betransferred into a region of the mass flow conveyor which is oppositethe end of the further single-track feed conveyor or the ends of theplurality of further single-track feed conveyors.

The further single-track feed conveyor or the plurality of furthersingle-track feed conveyors can each comprise one transport surface.

The further single-track feed conveyor or the plurality of furthersingle-track feed conveyors can comprise a supply length region alongwhich containers can be supplied from the further single-track feedconveyor or the plurality of further single-track feed conveyors to themass flow container, wherein the supply length region can have a lengththat is at least twice as large as one conveying width of the containersupply device.

This conveying width of the container supply device can here be composedof the sum of the conveying widths (a conveying width can be, forexample, a width of the respective transport surface) of the at leastsingle-track input conveyor, the first conveyors, the second conveyors,and the further single-track feed conveyor or the plurality of furthersingle-track feed conveyors. Apart from this sum of the conveyingwidths, optional distances between the at least single-track inputconveyor and the first group, between the first group and the secondgroup, and between the second group and the further single-track feedconveyor/conveyors can be added to the conveying width of the containersupply device. Optional distances between the first conveyors, betweenthe second conveyors and, if present, between the plurality of furthersingle-track feed conveyors can also be added to the conveying width ofthe container supply device. The width can be measured in a plane of thetransport surfaces perpendicular to the first or second direction.

The length of the supply length region can be measured along the firstor second direction. The supply length region can extend along a portionof the transport surface of the further single-track feed conveyor.Since the length of the supply length region is at least twice as largeas a conveying width of the container supply device, the containers canbe transferred to the mass flow conveyor without a high pile-up pressurebeing formed between the containers.

Above a transport surface of the at least single-track input conveyorand above at least some transport surfaces of the plurality of parallelfirst conveyors, a rail with deflectors can be provided.

The term “above” can here and below moreover include that the rail mightnot only be provided in a region where a physical contacting with thecontainers, for example in a region of action on the containers, canoccur, but also in a region where no physical contacting with thecontainers can occur (the rail can then be present outside a region ofaction on the containers). A physical contacting can be effected whenthe container at least partially contacts the rail at least partially.

The rail can comprise a plurality of layers which can be disposed atleast partially in an overlapping manner like fish scales. By the atleast partial overlap, one deflector or a plurality of deflectors can beembodied.

The deflectors of this rail can have the same or differentcross-sectional shapes, for example depending on the position of therail where they are provided, for example, the deflectors can havesmaller dimensions closer to the at least single-track input conveyorthan the deflectors that are provided further away from the at leastsingle-track input conveyor. A cross-section of a deflector, and thusits cross-sectional shape, can be determined in a plane parallel to theconveyor surface of the at least single-track input conveyor.

The deflectors can be provided along the rail, for example in alongitudinal direction of the rail, at equal or different distances. Bymeans of the deflectors in the rail, the containers can be distributedfrom the single-track input to the plurality of parallel first conveyorswithout any pressure or only little pressure from the subsequentcontainers.

A deflector can be designed such that it branches off from the rail at aflat angle, the rail having, for example, a straight or a bentextension, and leads back at a steep angle. The flat angle can preventcontainers coming into contact with a deflector from tipping over and/orprevent a pressure (pile-up pressure and/or delivery pressure) acting onthe containers from becoming too high. One can achieve, for example,that a force of 50 N to 80 N is not exceeded. By the steep angle,sufficient space can be given to the containers having passed thedeflector to possibly move into a region behind the deflector.

If, for example, five first conveyors are provided, the rail with thedeflectors can extend, with a view into the first direction, initiallystraightly along a first side (e. g. the right side) of the at leastsingle-track input conveyor, then obliquely, by means of threedeflectors, over the at least single-track input conveyor, subsequentlystraightly along a first side (e. g. the right side) of the first one ofthe first conveyors, by means of a deflector then partially obliquelyover the first one of the first conveyors, then straightly along themiddle of the first one of the first conveyors, subsequently, by meansof one deflector, partially obliquely over the second one of the firstconveyors. The rail with the deflectors is, for example, not providedabove a transport surface of the third to fifth ones of the firstconveyors. There, another rail or the like, or a deflection device of adifferent type can be provided.

At the end of at least some of the plurality of parallel first conveyorsand at the beginning of at least some of the plurality of parallelsecond conveyors, above the transport surfaces, a concavely designedrail can be provided, wherein the concavely designed rail comprises, forexample, a curve which describes an angle that can be within a range ofangles of 165° to 195°.

For example, a 180° curve can be provided.

By the curve, the transfer of the containers from the second group orfrom the further single-track feed conveyor to the mass flow conveyor,that means, for example, the filling of the mass flow conveyor, can bedecoupled from the container flow running in through the at leastsingle-track input conveyor. Relatively high pressure loads oncontainers by a backup into the at least single-track input conveyor canbe avoided.

If five first and five second conveyors are provided, the concavelydesigned rail can be provided above the transport surfaces of the secondto fifth first conveyors and the first to fifth second conveyors.

The rail with the deflectors can pass over into the concavely designedrail. Thus, a trouble-free transport of containers can be ensured whichpass from a region of the rail with the deflectors to a region of theconcavely designed rail.

Above the transport surface at the end of the further single-track feedconveyor or above the conveying surfaces at the ends of the plurality offurther single-track feed conveyors (if this/these is/are provided inthe container supply device), a further concave rail can be provided,wherein the further concavely designed rail passes over, for example,into the concavely designed rail wherein the further concave railcomprises, for example, a curve which describes an angle that can bewithin a range of angles of 75° to 105°.

For example, a 90° curve can be provided.

By the further concave rail, containers that are transferred from thefurther single-track feed conveyor or the plurality of furthersingle-track feed conveyors to the mass flow conveyor can also well betransferred into a region of the mass flow conveyor which is oppositethe end of the further single-track input conveyor or the ends of theplurality of further single-track input conveyors.

Above the transfer surfaces of the first and second groups, between thefirst group and the second group, a straight rail can be provided whichis designed such that a transfer region for containers can be providedbetween the first group and the second group.

The straight rail can prevent containers from unintentionally passingfrom the first group to the second group.

The transfer region is provided for an intended transfer of containersbetween the first group and the second group; the straight rail is notprovided in the transfer region. The transfer region for containersbetween the first group and the second group can comprise a distance,which can be smaller than a diameter of a container, between the firstand second groups, or a transfer plate with a width which can be smallerthan a diameter of a container.

Above the transport surfaces of the plurality of parallel secondconveyors, a rail with steps can be provided, wherein, for example, therail with the steps keeps the transfer region free for containers. Bythe steps, the containers can be directed from the plurality of parallelsecond conveyors towards the mass flow conveyor without or only withlittle pressure.

A step can be designed such that it branches off from the rail at a flatangle, the rail having a straight or a bent extension, for example, andwhere the rail continues at its end of the step. The flat angle canavoid containers coming into contact with the deflector from tippingover, and/or a pressure (pile-up pressure and/or delivery pressure)acting on the containers from becoming too high.

By the rail with the steps, containers can be moved along, obliquelyalong, and/or transversely to the second conveyors. The containers canthus be brought to the last one of the second conveyors and from there,for example, transferred to the mass flow conveyor or to the furthersingle-track feed conveyor or the plurality of further single-track feedconveyors.

If five second conveyors are provided, the rail with the steps canextend from the first to the fifth second conveyor. Here, the rail canextend obliquely over the first one of the second conveyors, in thetransition from the first one to the second one of the second conveyors,a step can be provided, subsequently, the rail can extend from themiddle of the second one of the second conveyors to the middle of thethird one of the second conveyors, then, a step can be provided in thetransition from the third to the fourth one of the second conveyors, andsubsequently, the rail can extend to the middle of the fifth one of thesecond conveyors.

The straight rail can pass over into the rail with the steps. Thus, atrouble-free transport of containers which pass from a region of thestraight rail into a region of the rail with the steps can be ensured.

The transition region can, seen along the first or the second direction,have a length whose value is greater by a factor of 1.8 to 3 or by afactor of 1.5 to 4 (the boundaries of the range are included) than avalue of a conveying width of the first group or the second group. Bythis length of the transition region, a loose transport of thecontainers can take place.

The at least single-track input conveyor, and/or the plurality ofparallel first conveyors, and/or the plurality of parallel secondconveyors, and/or the further single-track feed conveyor, or theplurality of further single-track feed conveyors (if provided in thecontainer supply device) can each comprise transport surfaces that aredisposed in a coplanar manner in a plane, wherein the plane can include,with a plane perpendicular to the direction of action of the force ofgravity, an angle of 0.5° to 14° (the boundaries of the range areincluded), or, for example, an angle of 0.5° to 11°, or, for example, anangle of 0.5° to 8°.

By the coplanar arrangement of the respective transport surfaces in aplane, the transition of containers between the different conveyors ispossible.

The coplanar arrangement can also be provided without the planeincluding an angle of 0.5° to 14° with a plane perpendicular to thedirection of action of the force of gravity, for example, if the angleis 0°.

By the plane possibly including an angle of 0.5° to 14° with the planeperpendicular to the direction of action of the force of gravity, or,for example an angle of 0.5° to 11°, or, for example, an angle of 0.5°to 8°, the parallel component of the force of gravity can additionallyact on the containers.

The value ranges mentioned here and further below for an angle that theplane in which the respective transport surfaces are located can includewith a plane perpendicular to the direction of action of the force ofgravity can be selected or determined taking into consideration a typeof container to be transported. Containers to be transported can betransported in a stable manner despite the included angle. Despite theincluded angle, a tipping over of the containers or a non-stabletransport should be avoided. In one type of container, a height of thecenter of gravity of the container above the transport surface, and/or asupport surface of the container on the transport surface, and/or astiffness of the container, and/or a weight of the container can betaken into consideration for a selection or determination of the angle.For PET bottles, for example 1.5 L PET bottles, the plane of thetransport surfaces can include an angle of 0.5° to 2° with the planeperpendicular to the direction of action of the force of gravity. Forcans, for example metal or composite cans, the plane of the transportsurfaces can include an angle of 1° to 5° with the plane perpendicularto the direction of action of the force of gravity. For glass bottles,for example 0.5 L beer bottles or 1 L soft drink bottles, the plane ofthe transport surfaces can include an angle of 3° to 8° with the planeperpendicular to the direction of action of the force of gravity.

The angle that the plane of the transport surfaces includes with theplane perpendicular to the direction of action of the force of gravitycan be selected or determined to be as large as possible and as small asnecessary.

The rail with the deflectors, the concavely designed rail, the straightrail, the rail with the steps, and/or the further concavely designedrail (if it is provided in the container supply device) can also bearranged in an inclined manner and include an angle with a planeperpendicular to the direction of action of the force of gravity thatcan be within a range of 0.5° to 14° (boundaries of the range included),or, for example, within a range of 0.5° to 11°, or, for example, a rangeof 0.5° to 8°.

The container supply can be arranged on a supporting structure or aplurality of supporting structures or the like and comprise, forexample, a tilting mechanism or a plurality of tilting mechanisms. Thesupporting structure or the supporting structures can be connected withthe tilting mechanism or the tilting mechanisms, so that by means of thetilting mechanism or the tilting mechanisms, the angle is variableand/or adjustable. The tilting mechanism or the tilting mechanisms canbe controlled with one or a plurality of control devices. The one or theplurality of control devices of the tilting mechanism or tiltingmechanisms can also be provided for controlling drive speeds of theconveyors, or the one or the plurality of control devices of the tiltingmechanism or tilting mechanisms can be provided independent of a controldevice for controlling drive speeds of the conveyors.

The container supply device can furthermore comprise a control devicefor controlling drive speeds of the conveyors, wherein, for example, acontroller can be provided wherein the mathematical amount of drivespeeds in the first direction each decreases, starting from the at leastsingle-track input conveyor to the plurality of parallel firstconveyors, wherein the mathematical amount of drive speeds of theplurality of parallel second conveyors in the second direction initiallyincreases and then decreases again, and/or wherein the mathematicalamount of a drive speed of the further single-track feed conveyor (ifprovided in the container supply device) in the first direction is thesmallest one of the mathematical amounts, or wherein the mathematicalamounts of drive speeds of the plurality of further single-track feedconveyors in the first direction are each smaller than an amount of thedrive speed of the slowest one of the plurality of parallel secondconveyors.

For example, a grading of the different drive speeds with respect toeach other can be non-linear. The gradings can each be percental withrespect to each other or each have a factor.

The drive speed of the at least single-track input conveyor can serve asa boundary condition for the drive speeds of the other conveyors (firstconveyor, second conveyor, further single-track feedconveyor/conveyors). Possibly, the conveyor arranged upstream of themass flow conveyor can be operated at most with a maximum drive speed.This maximum drive speed can possibly not be exceeded to permit atransfer of the containers from the conveyor arranged upstream of themass flow conveyor to the mass flow conveyor.

If the drive speed of the at least single-track input conveyor isincreased/reduced, the drive speeds of the subsequent conveyors (firstconveyors, second conveyors, further single-track feedconveyor/conveyors) can each be increased/reduced. The respectiveincreases/reductions can be accomplished in a non-linear manner. Forexample, the drive speeds can be increased/reduced by percentage, or thedrive speeds can each be doubled/reduced by half.

The drive speeds of the at least single-track input conveyor can bebetween 0.05 m/s (for example, with a performance of 4,500 containersper hour and a container diameter of 35 to 40 mm) and 5 m/s (forexample, with a performance of 225,000 containers per hour and acontainer diameter of 75 to 80 mm). As an alternative or in addition,the drive speeds of the at least single-track input conveyor can bebetween 0.15 m/s (for example, with a performance of 10,000 containersper hour and a container diameter of 5° to 53 mm) and 3.5 m/s (forexample, with a performance of 180,000 containers per hour and acontainer diameter of 64 to 66 mm).

As an example of the different drive speeds, the following example ismentioned: For the at least single-track input conveyor, 1.7 m/s can beprovided. For example, for five first conveyors of a first group, 0.85m/s, 0.6 m/s, 0.55 m/s and 0.25 m/s can be provided. For example, forfive second conveyors of a second group, 0.15 m/s, 0.35 m/s, 0.4 m/s,0.35 m/s and 0.15 m/s can be provided. If the further single-track feedconveyor is present, 0.08 m/s can be provided for it. For example, themathematical amount of a drive speed of the mass flow conveyor can be0.0156 m/s.

The control device can moreover or only be designed to control an amountof the drive speed of the at least single-track input conveyor such thatthe at least single-track input conveyor transports containers in anumber per unit of time into the first direction corresponding to thenumber per unit of time of a device arranged upstream of the containersupply device. The device can be disposed directly upstream of thecontainer supply device, wherein, for example, only one or a pluralityof conveyors can be arranged between the upstream device and thecontainer supply device. For example, the control device can be designedsuch that it obtains information and/or data of the upstream devicecomprising the number per unit of time.

The container supply device can be designed such that exactly onesingle-track input conveyor can be provided.

As an alternative, the container supply device can be designed such thattwo or more single-track input conveyors can be provided.

The at least single-track input conveyor, the first conveyors of thefirst group, the second conveyors of the second group, and the one orthe plurality of single-track feed conveyors can each extend in parallelor essentially in parallel with respect to each other. The abovementioned conveyors can be designed such that both an amount of thedrive speed and the direction of the drive speed are variable. Theseconveyors can be designed to be drivable in the first and the seconddirections.

For example, it is not provided for a conveyor that can be comprised inthe container supply device described above or below and that cantransport containers in a n. direction to be able to describe one orseveral curves and to subsequently transport the containers in a m.direction, wherein the n. and the m. direction are opposed to eachother. This also applies for a plurality of conveyors that can becomprised in the container supply device described above or below. Theone or the plurality of conveyors can comprise or be: the at leastsingle-track input conveyor, one or a plurality of the first conveyorsof the first group, one or a plurality of the second conveyors of thesecond group, the further one or one of the plurality of or a pluralityof the plurality of further single-track feed conveyors.

The invention furthermore relates to the method for operating thecontainer supply device as described above or below.

In the method, a control of the container supply device can beaccomplished by means of the control device.

If a control of the container supply device is accomplished by means ofthe control device, in a control, the mathematical amount of the drivespeed of the at least single-track input conveyor in the first directioncan be within a range of 0.05 m/s to 3.5 m/s. Here, it can furthermorebe provided that the mathematical amount of drive speeds in the firstdirection each decreases, starting from the at least single-track inputconveyor to the plurality of parallel first conveyors, wherein themathematical amount of drive speeds of the plurality of parallel secondconveyors in the second direction initially increases and then decreasesagain, and/or wherein the mathematical amount of a drive speed of thefurther single-track feed conveyor (if provided in the container supplydevice) in the first direction is the smallest one of the mathematicalamounts, or wherein the mathematical amounts of drive speeds of theplurality of further single-track feed conveyors in the first directionare each smaller than an amount of the drive speed of the slowest one ofthe plurality of parallel second conveyors.

For example, in a control, the mathematical amount of the drive speed ofthe at least single-track input conveyor in the first direction can bewithin a range of 1.5 m/s to 1.9 m/s, wherein the mathematical amount ofthe drive speeds of the plurality of parallel first conveyors in thefirst direction can decrease from 0.65 m/s to 1.05 m/s to 0.05 m/s to0.45 m/s, wherein the mathematical amount of the drive speeds of theplurality of parallel second conveyors in the second direction can firstincrease from 0.01 m/s to 0.35 m/s to 0.2 m/s to 0.6 m/s, and thendecrease again from 0.15 m/s to 0.55 m/s to 0.01 m/s to 0.35 m/s, and/orwherein the mathematical amount of a drive speed of the furthersingle-track feed conveyor (if provided in the container supply device)in the first direction is the smallest one of the mathematical amountswith 0.06 m/s to 0.1 m/s. The stated boundaries of the ranges are eachincluded.

The values of the mathematical amounts as stated further above can herealso be provided for the control.

For the drive speeds, the statements already given above can apply.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The enclosed figures serve for a better understanding and forillustrating aspects of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a plan view onto a schematic view of a first embodiment ofa container supply device,

FIG. 2 shows a plan view onto a schematic view of a second embodiment ofa container supply device,

FIG. 3 shows a side view of FIG. 1 with a view into the seconddirection, wherein the transport surfaces are arranged in an inclinedmanner,

FIG. 4 shows a side view of FIG. 2 with a view into the seconddirection, wherein the transport surfaces are arranged in an inclinedmanner,

FIG. 5 shows a plan view onto a schematic view of the second embodimentof the container supply device in which a container distribution at agiven point in time is represented.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a plan view onto a schematic view of a first embodiment ofa container supply device 1 for supplying containers to a mass flowconveyor 18. The mass flow conveyor 18 is generally not comprised in thecontainer supply device 1, however, it is also that it is comprised init.

The container supply device 1 comprises an at least single-track inputconveyor 2 (here presented with a single track and therefore referred toas single-track input conveyor below) which is drivable in a firstdirection 16 and can convey containers transported, for example, on itstransport surface into the first direction.

Adjoining the single-track input conveyor 2 parallel to the single-trackinput conveyor, a first group 8 of a plurality of parallel firstconveyors 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, which is drivable in the first direction 16each, is provided. On the respective transport surfaces of the firstconveyors 3 to 7, containers can be conveyed in the first direction 16.

Adjoining the first group 8 parallel to the first group, a second group14 of a plurality of parallel second conveyors 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, whichare drivable in a second direction 17 each, is provided. On therespective transport surfaces of the second conveyors 9 to 13,containers can be conveyed in the second direction 17. The first andsecond directions 16, 17 are opposed with respect to each other.

Above one transport surface of the single-track input conveyor 2 and thetransport surfaces of the first and second ones of the first conveyors3, 4, a rail 26 with five deflectors 27 is arranged. This rail 26 passesover into a concavely designed rail 28 above the transport surface ofthe end of the second one of the first conveyors 4, the rail beingprovided at the end of the second, third, fourth and fifth ones of thefirst conveyors 4 to 7, and at the beginning of the first to fifth onesof the second conveyors 9 to 13 above the transport surfaces. Here, theconcavely designed rail 28 comprises a curve that describes an angle of180°.

Above the transport surfaces of the first and the second group 8, 14,between the first group 8 and the second group 14, a straight rail 30 isprovided which is designed such that a transition region 31 forcontainers is present between the first group 8 and the second group 14.Above the transport surfaces of the first and the second group 8, 14,between the first group 8 and the second group 14, can here mean abovebetween the transport surfaces of the last one of the first conveyors 7and the first one of the second conveyors 9.

The transition region 31, seen along the first or the second direction16, 17, has a length 34 whose value is greater by a factor of 1.8 to 3than a value of a conveying width 35, 36 of the first or second group 8,14.

Above the transport surfaces of the plurality of parallel secondconveyors 9 to 13, a rail 32 with two steps 33 is provided which leavesthe transition region 31 free for the containers. The straight rail 30passes over into the rail 32 with the two steps 33.

Above the transport surfaces of the plurality of parallel firstconveyors 3 to 7, a further straight rail 39 is arranged which extendsfrom the single-track input conveyor 2 to the straight rail 32.

The containers can be transferred from the second group 14 of aplurality of parallel second conveyors 9 to 13 transversely to thesecond direction 17 in the direction 22 to the mass flow conveyor 18.For example, the containers of the fifth one of the second conveyors 13can be transferred transversely to the second direction 17 in thedirection 22 to the mass flow conveyor 18.

A transfer region 19 (indicated by the hatching), in which thecontainers can be transferred from the fifth one of the second conveyors13 transversely to the second direction 17 in the direction 22 to themass flow conveyor, has a length 20 that is at least twice as large as aconveying width 21 of the container supply device 1. The conveying width21 here is composed of the sum of the conveying widths 35, 36 of thesingle-track input conveyor 2, the first conveyors 3 to 7, and thesecond conveyors 9 to 13.

The drive speeds of the single-track input conveyor 2, the firstconveyors 3 to 7, and the second conveyors 9 to 13 can be individuallycontrolled by means of a (non-depicted) control device. Here, themathematical amount of drive speeds can each decrease, starting from thesingle-track input conveyor 2 to the plurality of parallel firstconveyors 3 to 7, the mathematical amount of drive speeds of theplurality of parallel second conveyors 9 to 13 can initially increaseand then decrease again.

A mathematical amount of a drive speed of the mass flow conveyor 18 inthe direction 22 can be the smallest one.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view onto a schematic view of a second embodiment ofa container supply device 25. In FIG. 2 , elements of the firstembodiment of FIG. 1 that also appear in the second embodiment aredesignated with the same reference numerals. The description withrespect to the first embodiment also applies for these elements in thesecond embodiment; only the transition to the mass flow conveyor 18 fromthe container supply device 25 is different from that of the containersupply device 1.

In the second embodiment of the container supply device 25, adjoiningthe second group 14 of a plurality of parallel second conveyors 9 to 13parallel to said second group, a further single-track feed conveyor 15is provided. A plurality of further feed conveyors each with a singletrack can also be provided one next to the other and adjoin the secondgroup. The further single-track feed conveyor 15 can be driven in thefirst direction 16 and is designed to convey containers in the firstdirection 16, for example on a transport surface. Containers of thefurther single-track feed conveyor 15 can be transferred to the massflow conveyor 18 transversely to the first direction 17 in the direction22. The same applies for the case where a plurality of furthersingle-track feed conveyors is provided.

The further single-track feed conveyor 15 comprises a supply lengthregion 23 (indicated by the section lines) along which the containerscan be supplied from the further single-track feed conveyor 15 to themass flow conveyor 18. The supply length region 23 has a length 24 whichis at least twice as large as a conveying width 43 of the containersupply device 25. The same applies for the case where a plurality offurther single-track feed conveyors is provided.

This conveying width 43 is here composed of the sum of the conveyingwidths of the single-track input conveyor 2, the first conveyors 3 to 7,the second conveyors 9 to 13, and the further single-track feed conveyor15 or the plurality of further single-track feed conveyors. Theconveying widths can be measured perpendicularly to the first or seconddirection.

The length 24 of the supply length region 23 can be measured along thefirst or second direction 16, 17. The supply length region 23 extendsalong a portion of the transport surface of the further single-trackfeed conveyor 15. Since the length 24 of the supply length region 23 isat least twice as large as the conveying width 43 of the containersupply device 25, the containers can be transferred to the mass flowconveyor 18 without a high pile-up pressure being formed between thecontainers.

Above the transport surface at the end of the further single-track feedconveyor 15, a further concave rail 29 is provided which comprises a 90°curve. The further concavely designed rail 29 passes over into theconcavely designed rail 28.

By the further concave rail 29, containers that are transferred from thefurther single-track feed conveyor 15 to the mass flow conveyor 18 canalso well be transferred into a region of the mass flow conveyor 18which is opposite to the end of the further single-track feed conveyor15 (in the representation, the right corner region of the mass flowconveyor 18).

FIG. 3 shows a side view of FIG. 1 with a view into the second direction17, wherein the transport surfaces of the single-track input conveyor 2,the first conveyors 3 to 7, and the second conveyors 9 to 13 arearranged in an inclined manner. The transport surfaces are arranged in acoplanar manner in a plane 41. The plane 41 includes an angle 37 with aplane 42 perpendicular to the direction of action 38 of the force ofgravity, wherein the angle can be within a range of 0.5° to 14°(boundaries of the range included), or, for example, an angle of 0.5° to11°, or, for example, an angle of 0.5° to 8°.

The rail 26 with the deflectors 27, the concavely designed rail 28, thestraight rail 30, the rail 32 with the steps 33, and the furtherstraight rail 39 are also arranged in an inclined manner and include anangle with a plane 42 perpendicular to the direction of action 38 of theforce of gravity that can be within a range of 0.5° to 14° (boundariesof the range included), or, for example, an angle of 0.5° to 11°, or,for example, an angle of 0.5° to 8°.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of FIG. 2 with a view into the second direction17, wherein the transport surfaces of the single-track input conveyor 2,the first conveyors 3 to 7, the second conveyors 9 to 13, and thefurther single-track feed conveyor 15 are arranged in an inclinedmanner. For the case where a plurality of further single-track feedconveyors are provided, these can also be inclined.

The transport surfaces are arranged in a coplanar manner in a plane 41.The plane 41 includes an angle 37 with a plane 42 perpendicular to thedirection of action 38 of the force of gravity, wherein the angle can bewithin a range of 0.5° to 14° (boundaries of the range included), or,for example, an angle of 0.5° to 11°, or, for example, an angle of 0.5°to 8°.

The rail 26 with the deflectors 27, the concavely designed rail 28, thestraight rail 30, the rail 32 with the steps 33, the further straightrail 39, and the further concavely designed rail 29 are also arranged inan inclined manner and include an angle with a plane 42 perpendicular tothe direction of action 38 of the force of gravity that can be within arange of 0.5° to 14° (boundaries of the range included), or, forexample, an angle of 0.5° to 11°, or, for example, an angle of 0.5° to8°.

FIG. 5 shows a plan view onto a schematic view of the second embodimentof the container supply device 25 in which a distribution of containers40 at a given point in time is represented.

One can see how containers 40 coming from the single-track inputconveyor 2 are distributed to the plurality of first conveyors 3 to 7 bythe deflectors 27. In the transition region 31, the containers 40 passfrom the first group 8 to the second group 14. By the length 34 of thetransition region 31 whose value is greater than a value of theconveying width 35, 36 of the first group 8 or the second group 14 by afactor of 1.8 to 3, a loose transport of the containers can take place.This becomes clear by the free gaps between the containers 40.

By means of the rail 32 with the steps 33, the containers 40 can bedirected without pressure from the plurality of parallel secondconveyors 9 to 13 to the further single-track feed conveyor 15 and tothe mass flow conveyor 18.

Since the further single-track feed conveyor 15 moves into the firstdirection 16, that means into the original input direction of thesingle-track input conveyor 2, a distribution and a transfer of thecontainers 40 to the mass flow conveyor 18 can be improved. Containers40 that are transferred from the further single-track feed conveyor 15to the mass flow conveyor 18 can also well be transferred into theregion of the mass flow conveyor 18 which is opposite to the end of thefurther single-track feed conveyor 15.

1. Container supply device for supplying containers to a mass flowconveyor, wherein the container supply device comprises: an at leastsingle-track input conveyor which is drivable in a first direction andis designed to convey containers in the first direction, adjoining theat least single-track input conveyor parallel to the at leastsingle-track input conveyor, a first group of a plurality of parallelfirst conveyors which are drivable in the first direction and aredesigned to convey containers in the first direction, adjoining thefirst group of the plurality of parallel first conveyors, parallel tothe first group, a second group of a plurality of parallel secondconveyors, which are drivable in a second direction and are designed toconvey containers in the second direction which is opposite to the firstdirection, wherein the containers of the second group of the pluralityof parallel second conveyors can be transferred transversely to thesecond direction in the direction to the mass flow conveyor. 2.Container supply device according to claim 1, wherein a transfer region,in which the containers of the second group of the plurality of parallelsecond conveyors can be transferred, transversely to the seconddirection in the direction, to the mass flow conveyor, has a lengthwhich is at least twice as large as a conveying width of the containersupply device.
 3. Container supply device according to claim 1, wherein,adjoining the second group of the plurality of parallel second conveyorsparallel to the second group, a further single-track feed conveyor isprovided, or a plurality of further single-track feed conveyors areprovided, wherein the further single-track feed conveyor or theplurality of further single-track feed conveyors is/are drivable in thefirst direction and is/are designed to convey containers in the firstdirection.
 4. Container supply device according to claim 3, wherein thefurther single-track feed conveyor or the plurality of furthersingle-track feed conveyors comprise(s) a supply length region alongwhich containers can be supplied from the further single-track feedconveyor or the plurality of further single-track feed conveyors to themass flow conveyor, wherein the supply length region has a length thatis at least twice as large as a conveying width of the container supplydevice.
 5. Container supply device according to claim 3, wherein above atransport surface of the at least single-track input conveyor and aboveat least some of the transport surfaces of the plurality of parallelfirst conveyors, a rail with deflectors is provided.
 6. Container supplydevice according to claim 5, wherein at the end of at least some of theplurality of parallel first conveyors and at the beginning of at leastsome of the plurality of parallel second conveyors, above the transportsurfaces, a concavely designed rail is provided, wherein, the concavelydesigned rail comprises a curve that describes an angle lying within arange of angles of 165° to 195°, wherein the rail with the deflectors,passes over into the concavely designed rail.
 7. Container supply deviceaccording to claim 6, wherein above a transport surface at the end ofthe further single-track feed conveyor, a further concave rail isprovided, wherein, the further concavely designed rail passes over intothe concavely designed rail, wherein, the further concave rail comprisesa curve which describes an angle that is within a range of angles of 75°to 105°.
 8. Container supply device according to claim 5, wherein abovethe transfer surfaces between the first group and the second group, astraight rail is provided which is designed such that a transitionregion for containers is provided between the first group and the secondgroup.
 9. Container supply device according to claim 8, wherein abovethe transport surfaces of the plurality of parallel second conveyors, arail with steps is provided, wherein, the rail with the steps leaves thetransition region free for containers, wherein, the straight rail passesover into the rail with the steps.
 10. Container supply device accordingto claim 8, wherein the transition region, seen along the firstdirection or the second direction, has a length whose value is greaterby a factor of 1.8 to 3 than a value of a conveying width of the firstgroup or the second group.
 11. Container supply device according toclaim 3, wherein the at least single-track input conveyor and/or theplurality of parallel first conveyors, and/or the plurality of parallelsecond conveyors, and/or the further single-track feed conveyor, or theplurality of further single-track feed conveyors each comprise transportsurfaces which are arranged in a coplanar manner in a plane, wherein theplane includes an angle of 0.5° to 14° with a plane perpendicular to thedirection of action of the force of gravity, or, an angle of 0.5° to11°, or, an angle of 0.5° to 8°.
 12. Container supply device accordingto claim 3, furthermore comprising a control device for controllingdrive speeds, wherein, a controller is provided wherein the mathematicalamount of drive speeds each decreases, starting from the at leastsingle-track input conveyor to the plurality of parallel first conveyorsin the first direction, wherein the mathematical amount of drive speedsof the plurality of parallel second conveyors in the second directioninitially increases and then decreases again, and/or wherein themathematical amount of a drive speed of the further single-track feedconveyor in the first direction is the smallest one of the mathematicalamounts, or wherein the mathematical amounts of drive speeds of theplurality of further single-track feed conveyors in the first directionare each smaller than an amount of the drive speed of the slowest one ofthe plurality of parallel second conveyors.
 13. Container supply deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein exactly one single-track input conveyor isprovided.
 14. Container supply device according to claim 1, wherein twoor more single-track input conveyors are provided.
 15. Method foroperating the container supply device according to claim
 1. 16. Methodaccording to claim 15, wherein a control of the container supply deviceis accomplished by means of the control device, wherein, in a control,the mathematical amount of the drive speed of the at least single-trackinput conveyor in the first direction is within a range of 0.05 m/s to3.5 m/s, wherein it is furthermore provided that the mathematical amountof drive speeds each decreases, starting from the at least single-trackinput conveyor to the plurality of parallel first conveyors in the firstdirection, wherein the mathematical amount of drive speeds of theplurality of parallel second conveyors in the second direction initiallyincreases and then decreases again, and/or wherein the mathematicalamount of a drive speed of the further single-track feed conveyor in thefirst direction is the smallest one of the mathematical amounts, orwherein the mathematical amounts of drive speeds of the plurality offurther single-track feed conveyors in the first direction are eachsmaller than an amount of the drive speed of the slowest one of theplurality of parallel second conveyors.
 17. Method according to claim15, wherein a control of the container supply device is accomplished bymeans of the control device, wherein, in a control, the mathematicalamount of the drive speed of the at least single-track input conveyor inthe first direction can be within a range of 1.5 m/s to 1.9 m/s, whereinthe mathematical amount of the drive speeds of the plurality of parallelfirst conveyors in the first direction decreases from 0.65 m/s to 1.05m/s to 0.05 m/s to 0.45 m/s, wherein the mathematical amount of thedrive speeds of the plurality of parallel second conveyors in the seconddirection increases initially from 0.01 m/s to 0.35 m/s to 0.2 m/s to0.6 m/s, and then decreases again from 0.15 m/s to 0.55 m/s to 0.01 m/sto 0.35 m/s, and/or wherein the mathematical amount of a drive speed ofthe further single-track feed conveyor in the first direction is thesmallest one of the mathematical amounts with 0.06 m/s to 0.1 m/s. 18.Method according to claim 16, wherein the grading of the different drivespeeds is non-linear with respect to each other, where, the gradings areeach percental with respect to each other or each amount to a factor.